RBC | The first Rio Blanco Open Hippology Contest was a huge success with multiple ribbons and prizes awarded, much learning accomplished, delicious food, great atmosphere and company.
We couldn’t have done it without our amazing sponsors: Bonnie Long (a longtime supporter of youth judging contests, livestock judging coach and leader, Rangely, Colorado) who sponsored $150 in cash prizes; Danny Burns Ministries: Unified in Christ Ministry out of Pittsburg, Texas (Burns is a former Texas State FFA President and long supporter of agriculture youth programs who sponsored all the tumblers, buckets and treats.) Thank you to Craft Shack Creations for designing and creating customized awards. Thank you to our library for hosting.
Finally, our volunteers who brought their knowledge and heart to this budding group of horse enthusiasts: Bill Ekstrom, who is a past-extension agent for Rio Blanco County and officiated the Team Problem portion of the contest and gave helpful feedback and Liz Smith who served as tabulator, reading assistant to our youngest competitors (so they could complete the written exam and stations with ease), and my right-hand gal! Can’t thank you enough for giving your time and energy to help us have a smooth and successful day for these participants. Tiffany Mead and Jackie Mead for assisting in the creation of the contest, we so appreciate your help from the Front Range! Collaborating with you both has been awesome and we couldn’t have done it without you ladies!
Last but not least, the contestants, youth contestants and their parents! Way to be brave and make an impact. It’s not always easy starting something new, stretching yourselves to personal growth and such, but you studied and put your whole effort in; consequently, those smiles show that your reward was big. Way to go!
Examination Phase:
1st Place Senior: Joslin Spieth
2nd Place Senior: Johnny Rust
1st Place Junior: Pearl North
2nd Place Junior: Dani Osborne
3rd Place Junior: Blake Smith
4th Place Junior: Rubydee Varland
5th Place Junior: Ethan Summers
6th Place Junior: Kemri Osborne
Stations Phase:
1st Place Senior: Joslin Spieth
2nd Place Senior: Johnny Rust
1st Place Junior: Pearl North
2nd Place: Blake Smith
2nd Place (tie): Dani Osborne
4th place: Ethan Summers
5th place: Rubydee Varland
5th place (tie): Kemri Osborne
Judging Phase:
1st Place Senior: Joslin Spieth
2nd Place Senior: Johnny Rust
1st Place Junior: Blake Smith
2nd Place Junior: Kemri Osborne
3rd Place Junior: Rubydee Varland
4th Place Junior: Ethan Summers
5th Place Junior: Dani Osborne
6th Place Junior: Pearl North
Team Problem Phase:
1st Place Team: Johnny Rust, Ethan Summers, Dani Osborne and Blake Smith.
2nd Place Team: Joslin Spieth, Pearl North, RubyDee Varland, Kemri Osborne
High Individual Overall: “Long-in-the-Tooth” Adult Division:
Champion, Kelly Carpenter Osborn
Reserve Champion, Diane Mobley
Senior Division:
Champion: Joslin Spieth (247pts)
Res. Champion Senior: Johnny Rust (211pts)
Junior Division
Champion: Blake Smith (228pts)
Res. Champion: Pearl North (197pts)
3rd Overall: Kemri Osborne (195pts)
4th Overall: Dani Osborne (190pts)
5th Overall: Rubydee Varland (189pts)
6th Overall: Ethan Summers (185pts)
High Team Overall:
Champion Team: Joslin Spieth, Pearl North, Rubydee Varland and Kemri Osborne. (719pts)
Reserve Champion Team: Johnny Rust, Ethan Summers, Dani Osborne and Blake Smith. (699pts)
(Left to right) Back: Ethan Summers, Joslin Spieth, Kelly Osborn, Dani Osborn, Johnny Rust, Silvia Smith; Front: RubyDee Varland, Kemri Osborn, Blake Smith.
